Watchcase



Sept. 21 1926. 1,600,590

R. E. JEFFORDS sr AL WATCHCASE Filed April 20h 1925 z nl ai;

Patented Sept. 21, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RAYMOND E. JEFFORDS, OF TEXARKANA, ARKANSAS, AND JOHN R. UECKERT, OF TEXARKANA, TEXAS.

WATCI-ICASE.

Application filed April 20, 1925.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in watch cases.

The invention has to do with that type ot' watches in which the case is made in halves hinged together and held closed by trictional engagement of the complementary halves. This type of watch is frequently made up as a ladys wrist watch. The two main diticulties experienced with such a watch are the tendency of the case to spring open, thus letting in dust and dirt; and also owing to the minuteness and delicate structure of the works, the stem is often pulled entirely from the works in setting the watch; or becomes loose and is lost.

The object of the invention is to provide a hinged Watch case with means for tastening its members together in an effectual manner, whereby the case will be substantially dust proof.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for preventing longitudinal displacement of the stem from the ease.

A further object of the invention is to utilize the crown of the stem as a latch to hold the case together. .Y

A construction designedy to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described to" gether with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following speciication and by reference to the accompany-l ing drawings, in which an example otl the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure l is a face view of a watch constructed in accordance with the invention, a portion being illustrated in section,

Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-section view oi the stem on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of the stem and case. n

In the drawings and numeral 1() designates the front case member and 11 the baclr case member of a Wrist watch, but while we have chosen this type of Watch with which to illus trate our invention, it is to ybe understood that it may be applied to any type having the'same style of case. The ease members or Serial No. 24,360.

halves are hinged together at 12 and usually one has a marginal tlange (not shown) telescoping into the other.

in carrying out our invention the semicircular sections 13 and 14 of a cylindrical collar are iormed integral with the members 10 and 1l resin-actively. These collar sections are somewhat enlarged and elongated in Fig. 1 for the salie oi' clear-ness. The stem 15 extends axially through the collar and has a crown 16 secured on its outer end. T he crown has an under-cnt groove or annular socket 1"? surrounding the stem and re ceiving the outer end ot" the collar. It will be seen that so long as the collar sections are engaged in the groove 17 of the crown the said sections cannot be separated and con "cquently the case cannot be opened.

In the bore ot each collar section is a semicircular stop rib 18 surrounding the stem. The stem has the usual set iianges 19 between which the nose ot' the set lever 2O engages. Then the stem 15 is pulled outward, as is shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, the outer flange 19 will abut the stop ribs 18 and further outward movement of said stem will be prevent-ed. Thus the stem cannot be pulled or lost from the case.

Then it is desired to open the case the crown 1 is grasped and pulled outward, as in settinfy the watch. This pulls the stem 15 outward until outer flange 19 abuts the ribs 1S, whereby7 the outward movement ot t The crown is distne ste i is arrested. placed s-.iuicently to remove the groove 17 im the ends of the collar sections, which are then 'free to move laterally under the crown. lVith parts in this position the case members 10 and 11 may be swung open. This form oi? fastening will adequately hold the case members closed, thus excluding dust and also leeping the worls in place. Various cl anges in the size and shape of the diitferent parts, as well as modifications and alterations may be made within the scope ot' the appended claims.

Vhat we claim, is:

1. In a watch, hinged case members, a reciprocable stem, retaining means carried by said members to surround the stem, and a member upon the stem axially movable sections carried by the members, a stem, and therewith to embrace said means and retain a crown on the stem having a seat Yfor rel" the case members against separation. ceiving the ends of the sections.

2. In :i Watch, hinged case members, collar In testimony whereof we affix our signa- 5 sections carried by said members, e stem, and tures.

a locking member upon the stem having a seat for receiving the ends of said seetiens. RAYMOND E. JEFFORDS.

3. In a IWatch, hinged case members, collar JOHN R. UECKERT. 

